Submission to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) Review

By admin | Published: February 12, 2020

Submission to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (Harbour Trust) Review being held 18 February, 6pm to 8pm at the Sydney Masonic Conference & Function Centre, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney.    

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Have your Say on the Proposed Changes to Woolwich and Huntleys Point Ferry Routes

By admin | Published: February 7, 2020

As you will no doubt be aware there are major changes proposed for the above routes which will have an adverse effect on the suburb’s commuters in terms of lengthened journeys and will mean considerable inconvenience particularly for the elderly and those travelling with children or luggage.

Transport for NSW and Sydney Ferries operator Transdev are currently consulting with communities along the Parramatta River and Sydney Harbour to review the frequency and routes of the F3 and F8 ferry services from Woolwich and Huntleys Point and many residents have already communicated with Transdev. There is currently a petition with over 800 signatures. 

The changes are as follows:

Woolwich Ferry (F8)
Woolwich, Greenwich Point and Birchgrove – to and from Barangaroo. The ferry will no longer stop at Balmain wharf or provide direct travel to Circular Quay. Change at Barangaroo “for other enhanced ferry services, including the F4 City Connector”

Huntleys Point Ferry (F3)
Abbotsford to Barangaroo – all stops including Cockatoo Island, Balmain and Balmain East. This route will increase the current commute time. Change at Balmain East to continue to Circular Quay

While it is recognised that there are problems of overcrowding at Circular Quay and that some travellers will benefit from embarking at Barangaroo the following solutions must also be considered:

  1. Create more space for ferries at Circular Quay by transferring commercial boat operators to Barangaroo
  2. Use the Opera side of Circular Quay for ferries
  3. Allow the F3 and F8 ferry routes to call at Barangaroo BUT to then continue on to Circular Quay.

There are several opportunities for you to provide feedback but time is running out and this must be received by Friday 14th February 

  1. Access the Transdev site which will provide you with further information on what is being proposed. Feedback and suggestions are invited here: https://yoursay.transdev.com.au/2021-proposed-service-changes
  2. Attend the community meeting being held by Hunters Hill Council with TRANSDEV on Thursday 13 February 6-7pm at Hunters Hill Town Hall. There will be an opportunity to sign a petition prior to the meeting.

Further information via this link https://huntershill.com.au/events/community-meeting-drastic-ferry-timetable-changes-proposal/

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, December 2019

By admin | Published: January 15, 2020

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 2, December 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • The updated ‘Green Book’
    • New Plans of Management
    • An update on the Plan of Management
  • DA Updates
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
    • The Lost & Found Department – 39 Alexandria St
    • The Sorry Saga of ‘Windemere’ – 25 Ernest St
  • Every picture tells a story
  • Christmas Party & Book Launch
  • “St Malo Trees for Mousetraps”

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“The Heritage of Hunters Hill” is here!

By admin | Published: January 12, 2020

Following on from the launch at the Hunters Hill Trust Christmas party “The Heritage of Hunters Hill” book is now available. It has been printed in full colour and features almost 500 homes. 

Price $55 each

Available from the following local outlets:

Hunters Hill Post Office, 32 Alexandra Street

Hunters Hill Museum, 22 Alexandra Street

The Lost & Found Department, 39 Alexandra Street (opposite Garibaldi Inn)

or email 

members@huntershilltrust.org.au

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St Peter Chanel Church – Development Update

By admin | Published: June 9, 2019

A Win for Heritage in the Land and Environment Court!

Following the formal onsite meeting of the Land and Environment Court (LEC) on 28 May, the Hunters Hill Trust is pleased to report that the LEC has refused the DA but encourages members to maintain a watching brief in case the decision is appealed. Council’s solicitors wrote to residents setting out the reasons for the judgement as follows:

The Commissioner’s ‘reasons for refusal chiefly related to the proposal’s detrimental impact on the heritage significance of the site, including impacting on views to and from the Church, the impact on the setting and curtilage of the Church as well as the uncertainty regarding contamination of the site.’

The Trust supported Hunters Hill Council in believing the sub-division would have been entirely unsuitable for the site. Apart from detracting from the character of the Church’s setting within the heritage of Crescent Street and compromising a significant landmark visible from the water, the location would have been difficult to build on and would have resulted in the destruction of the sandstone rock shelf and mature trees.

We congratulate all residents and objectors who presented such a strong case and stood up in defence of heritage.

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Hunters Hill Trust Journal, June 2019

By admin | Published: June 1, 2019

The Hunters Hill Trust Journal Volume 57, No 1, June 2019 is available here.

This edition includes:

  • From the President’s Desk – Alister Sharp
    • AGM Report
    • Membership
    • Interaction with Council
    • Walks & Events 2018 -2019
  • How Our Garden Suburb is Changing
  • The Farm Attendant’s Cottage – Waruda
  • DA Updates
    • New Sports Complex St Joseph’s College
    • St Peter Chanel
    • 1 & 3 Ryde Road
  • Dismantling of the Office of Environment and Heritage
  • Heritage-Listed Boronia Park
  • Green Book Update
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Inclusive playground in Boronia Park: CAUTION

By admin | Published: April 28, 2019

The Weekly Times (10 April) reports that Council’s plans for an ‘all ability, inclusive’ playground are progressing, with funding of $250,000 already secured. When this project was proposed the Trust expressed concern that:

  • the playground needs to be compatible with the Plan of Management for Boronia Park
  • this type of playground needs a higher level of maintenance than standard Council playgrounds, so Council will need to plan for a maintenance budget. (Livvy’s Place playgrounds in Ryde and Five Dock show why this will be needed).

The Trust is part of Council’s Community Advisory Group that influences the Boronia Park’s Plan of Management. The Trust has been actively involved in developing the Boronia Park Plan of Management and remains committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing our heritage-listed site.

Green space is so precious, especially with the massive developments happening around us.

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New Ministries and departments in NSW

By admin | Published: April 27, 2019

Planning administration is changing following the NSW election. The full impacts won’t be known until the new arrangements start operating, but we already have concerns.

Image: Smithsonian

The powers of the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Office of Local Government have been transferred to the Premier or the new Minister for Planning and Public Spaces (formerly Planning and Environment).

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces now has responsibility for over 100 Acts including:
• The Local Government Act;
• Planning related Acts:
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 No 203
Land and Environment Court Act 1979 No 204
National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 No 80.

Now that the Office of Environment and Heritage been abolished, the submissions and assessments lodged as part of a planning consultation process by an independent agency will no longer be visible to the public. Instead, assessments and advice will go to internal managers and not into the public domain.

Better Planning Network provides more information.

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Hunters Hill Trust AGM 2019

By admin | Published: April 26, 2019

When:  Thursday 16 May 6.45 pm for 7:00pm

Where:  RSL Hall, corner of Ady and Alexandra Streets, Hunters Hill

AGM business:   Nominations are called for the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary (non-Minute taking) and 5 committee members.  If you would like to nominate for any committee role, please complete this form and lodge it with the Secretary at least 7 days before the meeting.  Nominees for positions must be financial members of the Trust and, similarly, those eligible to vote either at the meeting or by proxy, must also be financial members.

After our short AGM business there will be a general meeting and then our AGM talk.

2019 AGM Talk:  “A ‘Saint’ from All Saints”

Our speaker this year will be Chris Schofield, President of the Historical Society, who will be regaling us with his fascinating research into a local identity.  His talk is called “A ‘Saint’ from All Saints” a journey of local discovery. All members are welcome.  Come and join us for some cheese and wine and an entertaining evening.

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‘exempt & complying developments’ threaten HH character

By Tony | Published: April 12, 2019

under construction

heritage item next door

A recent development at No 8 Earnshaw Street Gladesville (at left) is an example of the impact of the Exempt and Complying Development Code on the character of Hunters Hill.

Were it not for the Complying Development SEPP this development proposal would have been assessed under the controls of Hunters Hill Council’s LEP and DCP.  Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel would have viewed the proposal and its advice incorporated into Council’s assessment.

There is another anomaly with this particular development.  At first sight it would appear to be a dual occupancy on a single block of land.  However this is not the case.   There are in fact two lots at 8 Earnshaw St.   One is just over 6m wide, while the other is a little over 12m wide.  The smaller block has an area of around 230m2 and the larger block’s area is about 450m2.  Neither block complies with the LEP minimum of 700m2.  How this unusual subdivision occurred is not known.

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